White Star skewers the field in Shiskabob

BOSSIER CITY, La. - White Star led wire to wire to win the $65,000 Shiskabob Stakes by five lengths over Doctor Mike during the fourth annual Breeders' Festival at Louisiana Downs on Saturday. It was 1 1/2 lengths back in third to Cyrus.

The Shiskabob was scheduled for turf, but was forced to the main track after four inches of rain fell in the area. The field was reduced eight starters following the scratches of Coach Rags, Caro's Royalty, King Corley and C M's Mark.

White Star ($5) took the lead at the start, and controlled the pace throughout, cruising through an opening six furlongs in 1:13.20. He covered the 1 1/16 miles over a muddy track in 1:46. Jockey Alex Jimenez had the mount for trainer Corale Richards.

One race earlier, Richards and Jimenez teamed together to win the $37,400 Stardust Stakes for statebred 2-year-olds with Rapide, who turned back a bid by 4-5 favorite Walk In The Snow to win his maiden in the race by four lengths. It was another two lengths back in third to Doeny Rain.

Rapide ($8), who had finished second in all six of his career starts prior to the Stardust, raced about two lengths behind pacesetter One Dollar Bill, who led the field through the opening half-mile in 46.11 seconds while under pressure from Sing N Zing. Rapide took the lead at the top of the stretch, then went on to cover six furlongs over a muddy track in 1:12.06.